A Day at the Movies

A lazy day in with the family. Watched lots of TV films. Tomorrow morning I have to go back to the hospital to see if I need draining again. Then we are going down to Brighton to spend New Year's Eve with Pete, Chris, Olivia and Scarlett.

I'm inclined to be laid back

Blogless

Woke up feeling a lot brighter. I found a present under the tree which I had forgotten to open! It was fruit and nuts from Linda and Ted. We popped over to St. Albans to get a couple of bits. Then all had lunch at The Snug. When we got home I slept for two hours, before mum and dad came round to sit the kids whilst we popped across the road to see the neighbours. Got back quite late! Hence I am now sitting here on Sunday doing Saturdays blog. (I did get a few worried blog fans calling today).

bad day

Did not get up. Too much pain, felt very low. It may be the new medication. 

One more trip to hospital! .?...

We all had a bit of a holiday lie in this morning. I phoned the hospital, who had a cancellation appointment, so Tommy and I dropped the kids off at mum and dads before going to the breast unit at the QEII. The nurse drained the fluid from behind my scar... No Painkiller/anaesthetic needed as the area is still numb! I started taking Tamoxifen yesterday to help keep cancer at bay.

After the hospital we all walked into Hertford to have lunch at PizzaExpress, we had intended to originally go for a country walk with a pub lunch, but the weather was too wet. Thanks for lunch mum and dad xx 

I am still very sore but still have to keep up with my arm exercises. Rebecca went to the pantomime with the Brownies this evening. 

Q. Where does the word blog come from?
A. It was originally web log.

Boxing Day

1. 

From Sue D

Oscars new alarm clock from Santa works!  It went off at some unearthly hour just after midnight. Well, I managed to get through Christmas. I had to have a few power naps (although I guess most people did). We travelled back to Hertford where the children could play with their new games on their various devices. I had a rest. My scar has now swollen up with the lymph liquid behind it so much that the skin is very tight and uncomfortable. I will check in with the hospital again once the Department is back at work. Whilst we were away a neighbour had looked after some flowers for me left by Sue my old school friend, a survivor. 

Blog still a bit sketchy as was creating it from my phone when we were away. Now I am trying it from my new iPad!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: 
the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other

Christmas Day 2012

Happy Christmas. I woke up at 4am, the kids at 5. So many presents, such record unwrapping time! A lovely relaxing day with the family.

Christmas Eve

Woke up with a lot of pain in my chest, back and arm. Today we drove to Aldeburgh, Suffolk, to have some lunch. We saw the cottage which we have hired for the summer. After lunch we returned to Woodbridge, I had a rest, then Tommys uncle, aunt and cousin came round with little Callum, who absolutely adores Rebecca! Rebecca and Oscar are so excited. 

Happy Christmas every one! Xx

I usually take steps to avoid Lifts

Last visit to hospital this year?

When I finally woke up at 10.30 mum and Dad had returned the ironing. We packed to leave for Woodbridge, but visited A&E on the way as I had alot of liquid build up behind my scar. They advised me that it was best to leave it to avoid infection. We arrived at tommys mums late afternoon. The children are soooooooo excited about Christmas.

I always asked for a dog for Christmas
We had turkey every year

holidays are coming

I cannot stop thinking about those carol singers all coming to our house especially for me! I had a very restful day today, I had to take quite a few painkillers and rest a lot. Mum and Dad came round to take some ironing. Watched soppy holiday movies and.chillaxed. Started packing for our Christmas break up to Tommy's mums tomorrow. 

I used to be addicted to soap
But I am clean now

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Carol singers.

Because of all the good news, now is the first time that Tommy and I can start thinking about Christmas. (Although I got my letter through today saying its time for my smear test again)!!

Kats and Deb came round this morning, Kats caught up on my ironing and Deb helped me to sort out my Christmas outfits. Lynn popped in to drop off some home made mini mince pies.

The children finished school early today, Sam picked them up... then 30, yes 30, carol singers arrived on my doorstep to sing me Christmas carols. It was so beautiful, they had song sheets and Santa hats (the school mums had arranged it all). We then went up to Emma's for wine and chocolates. This evening Rebecca and Oscar went ice skating and now Tommy has finished work for Christmas.


Perfect Boobs (o)(o) 
Fake Boobs ( + )( + ) 
Perky Boobs (*)(*) 
Big Nipple Boobs (@)(@) 
A Cup Boobs  o o 
Wonder Bra Boobs (oYo) 
Lopsided Boobs (o)(O) 
Grandma Boobs \ o /\ o / 
My Boobs ---(o)

It's Beginning to Feel a lot like Christmas

Tommy and I went to see Mr Wood at the QEII. A lot of liquid had built up behind my scar so he stuck in a big needle and drained out 2 and a half large syringes full of goo. 

I had not realised that he would have the results of my operation biopsies back before Christmas, but they were in, and he informed us that they had found cancer residue in the removed breast (as expected) and that the lymph glands which he removed were all clear, so the cancer had not spread to them! Which is fantastic news. 

Christingle

It was good to get out of bed and the house, but returned from the hospital absolutely zonked and slept oh so deeply for a couple of hours. Tommy woke me up so that we could go to the childrens' school Christmas church service... Christingle.

I was so excited about going, the school had kindly allowed us to have priority parking and a reserved me a front pew. It was such a lovely service; Rebecca as a school Councillor got to carry a Christingle down the aisle. She also played the recorder, and they both played We Wish You a Merry Christmas on their guitars. 

All Saints Church, Hertford

   Good King Wenceslas likes his pizza 
   'deep pan, crisp and even'

It's a Wrap

Mum came round early and started ironing, then on their way back from the school run Sam and Bev came round to help me wrap; my own little grotto of elves! They got it all done. 

Lindsey came round, then Julie, then Lauren, then Dad... what a busy day full of helpers, what a lucky girl I am. Not to mention all the chocolates! (I will have to go to a 'Elf farm).

When all was quite I went for a rest and slept solidly for two hours, a deep, deep sleep.

Sam had the kids for tea again. Oscar helped William build a castle.

I have quite a lot of swelling today, it may be that they may have to drain some fluid out with a needle. I am seeing the specialist tomorrow morning for a follow up.


A broken drum, you just can't beat it

One week to Christmas

23,100 HITS!

I still have to sleep on my back at night, as it is too painful to lie on my sides, when I wake in the morning my right arm is very stiff and sore, but after a bit of movement it eases off to a dull sore numbness. I cannot really do a lot at the moment, well apart from eat, (had my first mince pie today) sleep and watch daytime TV. 

Bec 'n' Beth bakes.

The children went to friends for tea, Rebecca did baking and came home with some lovely cakes from Elizabeth's. Yummy!

I saw on the news today that 3 people had died at the Lister private wing... am I glad I had my NHS surgery at the QEII!

Also got chocolates from my aunt, and a lovely Christmassy nightdress from P&D.

I went to the North Pole, 
it was very see Nick

Christmas Countdown

I was so excited about coming home yesterday, especially as we had previously invited the family round to ours for a Christmas celebration, as we won't be seeing them on Christmas Day. Eventually the doctor came round and discharged me. 

Dad picked me up and I returned home to my lovely family. Pete, Chris and the girls had come up, all the decorations were up It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas and we all swapped presents. Simply having a Wonderful Christmas Time. Once they had left I flopped into bed for a good nights sleep Silent Night. 

I woke up this morning about 10.30, and proceeded to take it easy for the rest of the day! Taking painkillers and doing my exercises every four hours or so. 

I didn't eat any decorations
in case I got tinselitis

home again.

I eventually came home after lunch. Too tired to blog. Will catch up Monday morning.b.c. Xx

Signing on for Paula.

Woke up feeling nauseous and really tired, so skipped breakfast and lunch and slept. Tommy brought Rebecca and Oscar over in the afternoon, they just love the electric bed, the hygienic hand rub and my chocolates! I slept again, as soon as they had gone.

I had my drain removed today along with its stitches and the dressing taken off. I still feel a bit sick. Cuz Tim came over and Mum and Dad for the evening. I should be coming home tomorrow (Sunday).

I know I have no hair and am now slightly flat chested, but when the paper man came in this morning with "morning sir," it didn't exactly make my day!

Some days you're the pigeon; some days you're the statue

Friday

Friday

A good nights sleep in my peaceful private room. Glad to see that the school mums had a funtastic time last night in their festive bras.

I woke up very tearful this morning, it's just the anesthetic wearing off. Wound area sore and bruised, but taking lots of painkillers. Tommy popped over to give me a cuddle. At visiting time Loz came with some lovely hand cream and gave me a hand massage.

Lottie had made a beautiful card with a lovely poem. Rested a lot today. Tommy brought the twins to visit this evening with some lovely flowers, then Kats and Heidi arrived. Kats has got me a flashing Christmas tree for my room and Heidi bought me some pink fizz and a book on The Smurfs (long story).

This is Tommy signing on. Apologies if the layout is a bit of a mess above.  All Paula's words and photos, but I am not as skilled on blogging - oh and there is no joke yet so over to me.........erm, good night all!

Post Op Post 2

2004

2004

The day after the operation did not sleep last night, lots going on in the ward.

This is Tommy signing on for Paula - we couldn't get the hotspot wireless connection to work in the hospital (thank you school mums for helping me with the settings but 3 said that it is not in my contract - bah humbugs!), so I will try to fill in for the amazing Paula.

After a night on the ward she is being transferred to the same room she was in three weeks ago - its ok its not for being naughty, I think she has been well behaved? I won't try and emulate Paula, so will sign off now (by the way the joke below is posted by Paula so I can't take credit for it!).


I went to a karaoke bar the other night, at first I was afraid, I was petrified...

Going to The Theatre 12.12.12

It's that time of year where everyone goes to the pantomime, well this afternoon I am off to the theatre, the operating theatre (it's a tragedy). At least you will all be able to say "It's behind you".

I bought a wig made from bottom hair, but it keeps blowing off! 

Witch Wig

Cherry Berry!

This morning I decided to go out in style (or not as the case may be). My last day out for a while. I donned my redhead for the first time and strutted down to school. Katy Perry and a witch were among some of the comments I got. 

So off to work for the last time this year (still as a redhead). At school pick up time I got loads of well wishes and hugs from my friends, I wished them all a Merry Christmas. Picked Rebecca up from recorders then we went with Mum and Dad to watch Oscar in his Cubs Christmas play.... a very amusing production! It helped to keep my mind off things for the evening. 

Katy Perry.

I will pack my hospital bag tomorrow morning, we have to be there at 11am. 



Bye bye Boob.

Goodbyes, they often come in waves

Working Towards the Deadline

We took Rebecca and Oscar down to school before heading off to Lister to see Dr Shah. He explained that I will start taking Tamoxifen 2 weeks after the operation (for 5 years) and will start radiotherapy probably mid to late January. Also they will want to re-scan the lung in the future.

I went into work after the hospital for the first time in ages. Gareth bought me a box of chocolates and I ate the lot (well, there were only 6 in there)! I picked up the kids and took them to their swimming lessons. Home to change the beds and clear up a few last minute jobs. 

From Mike & Judith

I intend to go into work tomorrow, but will see how balanced I am feeling...


You invented Tippex... 
correct me if I'm wrong

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Wow, what a lie-in I had this morning (but I had been awake some of the night). After brunch we all set off to the shops to get last minute bits. Once we returned we found a fish pie on the doorstep from Lynn (yes it was still there) and a beautiful fresh Christmas wreath from Annie & John. 

Wrapped some more presents and Tommy cooked a lovely Sunday roast. 

We were meant to put up the decs today but ran out of time.

Tomorrow morning we go to see the doctor to discuss the plan post operation ie. medications, radiotherapy and exercises.

I once had my bottom bitten by a German Shepherd, he apologised and even introduced me to his dog

Christmas Catch Up

Card from The Godwins

Tommy and Oscar went off to football this morning whilst Rebecca and I did Christmas wrapping and making and writing cards with cheesy Christmas tunes playing in the background. I also did some more internet present shopping and catching up with the household.

The children got their email videos from Santa today (he confirmed that they are on the good list again this year). 

From Margaret & Mike

In the afternoon a delivery of beautiful flowers arrived from my in-laws. 

I felt really tired again so I had a power nap. 

Got a bit low again this evening. It's not fair.


What a happy childhood, Dad would put us inside a tyre and roll us down a hill, 
they were Goodyears

Lost Lasagna

Last night I got a text from Annie letting me know that, whilst we were at the hospital yesterday, she had left a lasagna on our doorstep.... Nope nothing there... she started to doubt whether she had left it outside the right house. This morning I was all ready to start pinning the MISSING LASAGNA posters on local lamp posts, but Tommy found that it had returned this morning....?!! 

Dad took R & O to school today. Loz took me over to Brookfield to get a few bits for hospital and some mastectomy bras. Came back at lunchtime and Kats came round with yet another lovely lunch and then she helped me to start wrapping presents. I now only have until Tuesday to do all the cards, buy presents, wrap presents and get everything in order before Christmas and ready for post op. Had a big sleep this afternoon, got a bit sad this evening. 

We had lasagna for dinner!


My Dutch friend has shoes with built in satnav... clever clogs

The Results are in

Tommy and I went to see the specialist who explained that the biopsies have shown that there is still cancer in my right breast, so he has booked me in to have a mastectomy and some more lymph glands removed next Wednesday. I will probably have to stay in hospital for a few days. 


Got really emotional today at the petrol station, 
don't know why, just started filling up

I'm Dreaming of a White Chirstmas

Off to school; Tommy scraping the car; our back garden

We woke up to snow this morning, that's how December should be! As she was passing Emma picked the kids up to take to school. 

I stayed in my PJs all day and caught up on some zzzzz's. (I think I over did it a bit yesterday and I'm full of cold).

Well, tomorrow Tommy and I are going back to the QEII to see the surgeon, who will have the results from the biopsies. It's make or break time.....

Angry weatherman sacked for error - no more mist & ice guy

Frog on a Blog

One of the toys Oscar brought back from the school fayre was a frog, the thing is he has a hole in his armpit, well I can relate to that, but at least mine has been stitched up!! 

I slid the kids down to school on the ice (that was hairy scary). Then Mum and Dad took me to the shops but I got too tired and had to come home for a rest. Whilst we were out I bumped into my old hairdresser, she thought Common Bob was fantastic. I won't be needing her for a while.

I am now starting to get a cold which is annoying as I still don't have any antibodies to fight it off... although my aunty has quoted that Champagne is a tonic... I'll say!

I got our first Christmas card in the post today!


I also got covered in ketchup, 
from my head to-ma-toes  I know, they're getting worse

20, 000 Blog Page Hits

Twenty thousand hits, I cannot believe it you guys, thank you so much for following my blog. Mum came round this morning to do a few jobs around the house and to take some more ironing home with her. She also brought a present from Betty & Keith.... Pink Champagne!!! mmm, they know how to spoil me!

From the school mums.

In the afternoon Jo came round with a card and pressies from the school mums; some more Pink Fizz and a lovely bracelet with a Pisces charm, along with a wonderful poem from Bev (see previous post). Thank you all so much xx

I actually braved it out to pick the twins up from school for the first time in ages (I don't think they even noticed, but it meant a lot to me)!




Bev keeps forgetting 
how to get to her allotment. 
I swear she's lost the plot

Ode to Paula (and Common Bob)

From the year 5 school mums


We have a lovely friend called Paula
Who once let the doctors maul her,
They found a lump in one of her breasts,
And sadly we all know the rest...

Once the chemo had started,
She found that her hair soon departed,
For her hair, I'm sure she did sob,
But not for long - she found 'Common Bob!'

Bob soon became her very close friend,
who would stay with her whilst on the mend,
In the playground she always looked hot stuff
While the rest of us just looked plain rough!

Through it all she has remained so brave,
Even when her head was shaved,
And when clearly tired and in pain,
She could still manage pink Champagne!

Paula, we love your positive style,
And the fact that you never lost your smile...
We admire you Paula, you kept your humour...
All the time you had your tumour!

                                       Bev Williams - Nov 2012

Soldiering On

I've become a Soldier. But I've been sleeping like a Log!

A shedload of cuddly toys

I usually sleep curled up on my right hand side, but cannot at the moment because of the pain. It is really frustrating. Had a lie in this morning. Tommy took the kids to the school Christmas fayre. They came back with a shedload of cuddly toys and chocolate.


Rebecca had a party in Ware this afternoon, so as Tommy was driving her over there I got up out of bed to go for a trip out, and we popped into Van Hages garden centre for 15 minutes on the way... wow was it busy, with massive queues. 

Tonight I did start to feel a bit sore and tired again although I haven't taken too many painkillers recently, so things are generally looking good. Am signed off for another week at work.

How do you make a Pirate angry? 
Take the P out of him

It's Fresh Outisde

1st December, advent calendars.

What a fantastic evening last night with my pals, hey, I'm coming back... although I was suffering slightly with my head this morning. 

Tommy made us all a lovely full English cooked breakfast. As I had not been outside of the house for over a week, and cannot drive at the moment, we all popped over to Welwyn Garden City for me to look around the shops... It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

This morning the postman brought me a package from Karen, (we worked together over 25 years ago) it was a lovely Stella and Dot Hope Breast Cancer Charity bracelet.    http://shop.stelladot.co.uk/style/b2c_en_gb/shop.html

From Karen, Noel and Billy

We had a takeaway for dinner, although Rebecca didn't feel to well so took a rain check on hers.


Advent calendars... 
their days are numbered

Happy Birthday Chris xx

I'd seen them before, I knew them when I was 4

I kept waking through the night. I was reading my book from 4.30am. So when the alarm went of at 6.15am I was all ready to get back to sleep. Tommy left for work, then I slipped back off to sleep. Oscar woke me at 8.30am to let me know that they were off to school. Emma from up the road took them in.

I spent the day Christmas shopping, from my bed, via the laptop. In the evening Ju came round. I had a glass of rosé with the nibbles. I was very happy very quickly! Helen came round too, and Leah entertained the twins. Ju La La brought me the biggest box of chocolates. I had an ab fab evening. 


Just wrote a song about a tortilla, 
actually it's more of a wrap

Twins R Us

OOOh, ahhh, mmm, I had a bath. How nice... and not just for me I bet! Let's just say it had been a while... I had to keep my wounds dry. I took a peek under the dressings, not looking too bad. I actually put on some real clothes today, rather than a tankini and Pjs; don't ask.

From the
twin mums

In the morning Lauren came round and took away some more ironing.

After lunch all the twin mums came over for a visit, it was so good to see them all as we were meant to be going out with them this Saturday night, but I am not quite ready for early Christmas celebrations just yet! They bought me a lovely Champagne bottle Links charm for my bracelet (which is getting very heavy now)! 

From Liz & Don

Later on Mum popped round with a stunning white orchid from Liz and Don. 


Hedgehogs - 
why can't they just share the hedge

Home Alone

Day four at home, dozed on and off through the day, letting my body recover. A few pains and itchy scars, but nothing too bad. Am starting to feel a bit more normal now and my senses of gustation and olfacation are beginning to come back to what they were before... roll on Christmas!! 


Greece has banned the export of Hummus and Taramasalata. It's a double-dip recession

Scrummy, Yummy and Mummy

From Deb T.

A busy day for me... Dad took the children to school, then Deb came round in the morning with a lovely plant and some SCRUMMY chocolates. Then Kats arrived with a YUMMY lunch for us, after which MUMMY arrived to do some ironing and I went up for a sleep. 

This evening the pain has started to kick in, I don't know if it is because I had a 'busy' day or if it is because the drugs are leaving my body and I now need more painkillers. Anyway, to take my mind away from the pain I tried a glass of white with my dinner and then Debs chocolates for dessert! 

All gone now!

Woman walks into a bar and asks for a double entendre, so the barman gives her one

Hearts and Flowers

From Loz.

Dad took the children down to school. Lauren came round in the morning and brought me a lovely silver heart. Felt a bit tearful today, but had expected it as the hospital had warned me that it was likely to happen a few days after the operation as the anaesthetic slowly wears off.  So Tommy came back from work to look after me. 

The skin on my feet is all peeling off and my fingernails are starting to peel off too. I think these are delayed chemo side effects. 

From Shepherds

A beautiful delivery bouquet of flowers came from my work which helped to cheer me up... my boys really do know how to look after me!

In the afternoon I had another solid sleep full of dreams. 


I found a piece of plasticine next to my bed... I didn't know what to make of it

Dreamy Weekend

From Margaret & Mike.

Through the night I slept on and off, loads of dreams, but as I usually sleep on my side I found it strange sleeping on my back, as it was too uncomfortable to sleep to any side. 

Today I still have no major pain (taking painkillers), I had a lovely lie in this morning. Got up, felt good again. My in-laws came to visit and to potter in the garden with the children and to have some lunch with us. Did my arm exercises. In the afternoon went back to bed for a very deep sleep full of dreams.


Man with no garden... Look forlorn

Post Op Post, 19,000 hits

Flowers from Tommy.

At the QEII cancer patients are taken to the private ward, so I had my own en-suite room. 

I slept comfortably through the night, waking sometimes to read. In the morning they came round to give me more painkillers, and to take my temperature and blood pressure (as they had done throughout the night). I told them how well I felt, they explained that was because I was full of morphine and to take it easy. After breakfast the doctor came to see me. He explained that the operation had gone well and that they, as well as taking out the lump and removing lymph glands, had also taken some other samples out from the calcifications. I will have to wait for the results now, to see what they do next????? I was told I could go home after lunch.

The most delightful thing
about being bald...
one can hear snowflakes

Mum and Dad came to visit and bought me a beautiful charm for my bracelet, which Rebecca helped them to choose,. Then Tommy arrived to pick me up. I am back at home now, still no pain.

Thank you again to all, for all the well wishes xx

I bought an alcoholic ginger beer the other day.

He wasn't impressed

My Lumpectomy Operation

My sawgeon!

We all had to get up dead early this morning. Tommy took me to the hospital where I had to put on the lovely gown with missing ties, and some lovely white stockings! Next I was taken down to have a local aneasthetic and a guide wire inserted via mammogram to let the surgeon know where to go. I was eventually walked down to theatre just after 2pm, after mum and Dad came to see me.

Woke up around 4.30pm and taken to the private wing. Tommy, Rebecca and Oscar came to visit and I had tea and toast. Feeling mighty fine;


Two elephants fell off a cliff. Boom! Boom!